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Formula 1 Monaco GP
Vettel: Mercedes' lack of Monaco practice pace "weird"
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel says the Mercedes Formula 1 team’s lack pace in Monaco Grand Prix second practice was “weird”.
Lawrence Barretto
Edited: May 25, 2017, 4:04 PM
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Vettel clocked the fastest ever lap in Monte Carlo to set the pace with teammate Kimi Raikkonen third.
Lewis Hamilton, who was fastest in FP1, and Valtteri Bottas ended the session eighth and 10th respectively, 1.1 seconds adrift.
“I don’t know what happened to them today, it was a bit weird,” Vettel told reporters in the Monte Carlo paddock.
“I’m pretty sure there is a reason and they will be back to full force on Saturday so it will be close, also with Red Bull.”
Vettel, who was second quickest in opening practice, was encouraged by Ferrari’s pace on Thursday but feels there is more to come.
“[On Saturday], I think there will be plenty more," he said. "I was pretty happy in the afternoon.
“In the morning, I was maybe a bit wild touching the walls a couple of times but the afternoon seemed a bit better.
“Around here, it’s important to have a good feel for the car, get the lap together. You can’t always go with the one time you set at the end of the day but we managed to put it together and we’re quite happy.”
Raikkonen was encouraged by both short and in particular long run pace on Thursday.
“It was getting better and better,” said the Finn. “In the long runs, the car was feeling good, so I have a good feeling. In the shorter runs, we have to improve a little bit.
“We did some changes and it always got better - so that’s the main thing. We had two smooth sessions, doing our normal work.”
Vettel echoed Raikkonen’s confidence regarding race pace but believed there was a lot to do between now and final practice and qualifying on Saturday.
“It’s always tricky to judge because you don’t get so many clear laps with a lot of traffic, but it seemed OK,” he said.
“I think we can still do, and have to do, something to the car to be more competitive overall and in the race. But I think Kimi and I were quite happy with the long run.”
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